Opera Scotland

Traviata 2013Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Traviata

After a couple of months to recuperate from the exertions of the piano-accompanied marathon last autumn, the team involved in this excellent, intimate and modern version of Traviata re-assembled for an eight-venue tour with an eighteen piece orchestra playing Tony Burke's skilfully executed reduction.

There were no alternations of performers, and only one complete newcomer, in the role of Baron Douphol. If anything, the result was even more sharply-focussed than before, with highly dramatic contributions from all eight singers, rehearsed by the original director on a brief trip over from Denmark. The concept behind the staging by Annilese Miskimmon, an update to the high-fashion locale of post-war Paris, still seemed to work quite effectively.

Derek Clark kept everything on a tight rein and moulded the big ensembles beautifully. In the small theatres to be visited, the fact that these great choral climaxes are sung only by the soloists is scarcely noticed, so well integrated is the whole effect. The performances in the three central roles were very satisfying, with Elin Pritchard's interpretation of Violetta culminating in a lovely performance of the last act. The relationship between the Germonts also seemed to be drawn with unusual sensitivity.

The audience on 7 March was gripped from start to finish, and extremely enthusiastic.